TIP: The 25 most difficult questions you'll be asked on a job interview

[vyncynt]

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mao jud ni mga question nga sayon tan-awn, lisud answeran.
makatabang jud...

[Jared_Jones]

Mga kabagang... Naa koy gamay na e tampo. hinaot nga maka tabang ni...

What is a good answer?

In a nutshell,

Your answers to the interview questions

Should follow the S – B – O Model.

Situation – Behavior - Outcome



What are your strengths?

Purpose

Shows whether candidate has self-awareness, and can identify what strengths are relevant to role. Shows if candidate has thought and planned. A glaring omission if not planned as this is such an obvious question that everyone should be prepared for. Strengths should obviously relate to the needs of the employer and the role.

Ideal Answer

Prepare three that are relevant to the requirements of the role. Be able to analyze why and how you are strong in those areas. Mix in some behaviors, knowledge and experience as well as skills, and show that you understand the difference. Style should be quite confident rather than arrogant or over-confident.



Tell me about your life in College or University
(or even your time in previous job)

Purpose

A big open question like this is a huge opportunity or huge trap. It can be a

tough question if not approached properly. Interviewees should have the sense

to refer to previous experiences that indicate capability and behavior of the sort

that the role requires. It's a trap for interviewees who look regretfully or

negatively on past experiences, criticize or attribute blame, or display

'someone else's fault' attitudes. Good applicants will be able to demonstrate

that they have used the opportunity to learn and develop, whether their

experiences were all positive and successful or not.

Ideal Answer

The question is an opportunity for you to demonstrate the qualities that the

interviewer is seeking in for the job, so orientate your answer towards these

expectations. Emphasize the positive behavior, experience and achievements

(ideally backed up with examples and evidence) which will impress the

interviewer because of its relevance to the role requirements. The interviewer

is looking for the same capabilities and behavior in your college (or university

or previous job) life that they want in the job.



Tell me about a big challenge that you faced and how did you deal with it?

Purpose

Can expose emotional raw nerves or sensitivities. Opportunity to show proof of being able to achieve results in the face of difficulty. Is this person actually experienced or are they just saying they are. (Experto Credite - Trust one who has proved it)

Ideal Answer

Avoid anything deeply personal or seriously emotional unless you are in complete control of your feelings about it. Try to prepare an example that's work-related and relevant to the role.



What can you do for us that other people can’t?

Purpose

Exposes those with little or no initiative. People who don't plan or take steps to achieve their own personal progress will not be pro-active at work either. People who don't think and plan how to progress will tend to be reactive and passive, which is fine if the role calls for no more, but roles increasingly call for planning and action rather than waiting for instructions.



Ideal Answer

Prepare for this - be able to state your personal and career goals - keep them reasonable, achievable and balanced. Explain how you see the steps to reaching your aims. An important part of achieving progress is planning how to do it. Be able to demonstrate that you've thought and planned, but also show that you are flexible and adaptable, because it's impossible to predict the future - the important thing is to learn and develop, and take advantage of opportunities as they come along.



What makes you mad?

Purpose

Exposes poor self-control or unreasonable aversions, fears, and insecurities. Exposes lack of tolerance and emotional triggers. Clever interviewers may infer or encourage a feeling in the way they ask the question that it's okay to get mad. Don't fall for it.

Ideal Answer

Nothing really makes me mad - it's not a good way to deal with anything. Certain things disappoint or upset me - rudeness, arrogance, spitefulness (pick any obvious nasty traits or behaviors, particularly behaviors that you believe your interviewer will personally dislike too.)

What do you want to be doing in
2/5/10 years time?

Purpose

This is a common tough interview question, and it commonly trips people up into making over-ambitious claims about their future potential and worth. It highlights feelings of delusion, and a need for security if they exist. The question encourages the interviewee to think and express their plans and aspirations, future direction, needs and wishes. The question is a powerful one because it prompts the interviewee to think and visualize about themselves and how they expect and want to change.







Ideal Answer

This question is best and easiest answered in terms of the sort of situation you'd like to be in, which should reinforce all the other good things about yourself.





What will you bring to the company if we employ you?

Purpose

This tough interview question is an opportunity for the interviewee to relate their strengths and capabilities to the priorities of the job function, and to the aims and priorities of the organization. The interviewee must therefore demonstrate an understanding of the needs of the employer and how to apply their own skills and strengths to the situation. This question will quickly show up the candidates who understand what's needed in the role and how to make it happen.

Ideal Answer

Imagine what your objectives will be if you were in the role, and orientate your answer towards meeting them on time and with style. Try to focus on the particular priorities and requirements of the role, the targets and aims, and if possible, focus on the working style and behavior attributes that fit the preferences of the interviewer, since most interviewers prefer people like themselves.



Why do you want this job?

Purpose

Opportunity to sell yourself and show you understands what they're looking for in the role. Make sure you hit both of these hot buttons. It's a tough question if you've not prepared the answer.

Ideal Answer

Reflect back the qualities required and job priorities as being the things you do best and enjoy. Say why you think the company is good, and that you want to work for an organization like it.





How do you handle tension and stress?

Purpose

Exposes people who can't deal with pressure or don't recognize that lifestyle issues are important for good working. Exposes the misguided macho approach that stress can be good. It ain't.



Ideal Answer

Say that you tend not to get tense or stressed because you plan and organize properly. Say you look after the other things that can cause stress - health, fitness, diet, lifestyle, etc. Talk about channeling pressure positively - thinking, planning, and keeping a balanced approach.

Tell me about something recently that really annoyed you.

Purpose

Exposes hang-ups and style of management and communication. Exposes anyone who believes it's okay or even good to get cross with other people. It ain't.

Ideal Answer

Don't get trapped into admitting to a temper or loss of control. Say you tend to get more annoyed with yourself than with other people or other situations. Annoyance isn't very productive, so you tend to try to understand and concentrate on finding a way around a problem or putting things straight.



Give me an example of when you’ve produced some poor work and how you’ve dealt with it

Purpose

A trap - don't fall in it.

Ideal Answer

Don't admit to having produced poor work ever. Say you've probably made one or two mistakes - everyone does - but that you always do everything you can to put them straight, learn from them and made sure you'll not make the same mistake again.





What do you find difficult in work/life/relationships (etc)?

Purpose

Another trap to expose weaknesses, and an opportunity to show strengths instead if played properly.





Ideal Answer

Pick a relatively irrelevant skill and say that you don't find it as easy as you'd like, so you're working on it (don't just make this up - think about it and be truthful). Don't own up to a weakness in an area that's important to the role. As with the weaknesses question, you can state certain difficulties because they are actually quite acceptable, even commendable, they'd include: giving up an impossible task, tolerating unkind behavior like bullying, having to accept I can't help certain big problems in the world, etc.

How do you measure your own effectiveness?

Purpose

Exposes people who are not results orientated - more concerned with process, relationships, airy-fairy intangibles.

Ideal Answer

By the results that I achieve, and that I achieve them in the most positive way. If there isn't an existing measure of this I'll usually create one.

How do you like to be managed/not to be managed.

Purpose

Indicates ability to cooperate and manage upwards, also how management attention you'll need. Exposes potential awkwardness. Only the most experienced and capable managers will be seeking difficult dominant types, and only then for certain roles requiring a high level of independence and initiative.

Ideal Answer

Be truthful, but express positively. I'm generally very adaptable to most management styles. In the past I've helped my bosses get the best out of me by talking to them and developing a really good understanding. I work best when I'm given freedom and responsibility to take some of the load off my boss's shoulders - they have enough to deal with. Do not respond to the negative and give any example of how you do not like to be managed.







How do you balance work and family/social commitments?

Purpose

Can expose those with outside interests that may prevail over work commitments (keen sports-people, etc., who cannot put work first.) Indicates whether the interviewee has balanced approach to life. Obsession with work to the exclusion of most else is not generally a good sign.

Ideal Answer

Say balance is essential. All work and no play aren’t good for anyone, but obviously work must come first if you want to do well and progress. Planning and organizing my work well, and getting results, generally means that I have time for my outside interests and there's no conflict.



How do you plan and organize your work?

Purpose

A great opportunity to shine and show management potential. Planning and organizing is one of the keys to good work at any level so it's essential to acknowledge this. Exposes unreliable people who take pride in flying by the seat of their pants.

Ideal Answer

Planning and writing a plan is very important. I think how best to do things before I do them, if it's unknown territory I'd take advice, learn from previous examples - why re-invent the wheel? I always prioritize, I manage my time, and I understand the difference between urgent and important. For very complex projects I'd produce quite a detailed schedule and plan review stages. I even plan time-slots for activities that aren't in themselves organized, like thinking time, and being creative, solving problems, etc.

What was the last book you read and how did it affect you?

Purpose

Will provide another perspective of the interviewee's personality that may not otherwise surface. Opportunity to demonstrate skills, aptitudes, special interests, self-development, analytical ability, self-awareness. May expose feelings or issues that can be probed further.

Ideal Answer

Be honest, as the interviewer might have read it too. There's no shame in admitting to lightweight reading material if that's what you like - put it in context, why you read it, and give a positive result, whatever it is. Be able to give an intelligent reaction to what you've read. Don't be too clever or try to impress, as nobody likes a smart-ass.



Why Call Center? Why did you prefer to apply as a Call Center Agent/CSR/e-Rep?

Purpose

The company wanted to know how could you contribute as an employee of their company. The question can be tricky that they rephrase the question and caught you giving different answers. Don’t say: I want to develop, enhance, and improve my communication skills. You are applying in a company NOT enrolling as a student in a school.

Ideal Answer

Giving the right answer to this question is always your choice. Just say I prefer Call Center because I know for the fact that I can impart in this company in terms of giving a great service with the right attitude so I can give excellent customer service.







If you will be an animal, what would that be?



Purpose



This question would be considered as not a tricky one, yet has a big impact to the interviewer. The purpose of this question is to trap you on how you compare your answers to the previous questions that tackles your ability and skills as an applicant.



Ideal Answer



Don't compare yourself to an animal or an insect. Just answer the question by saying it politely.

[KASAAC]

Nice thread!
UP ko ani na thread....up up up up up and away

[reypuzon]

very interesting thread, this will b included on my bookmark!! very helpful.

[gratificus]

i love this thread... helpful jud sya.. sakto baya.. naks!!! the best... 3rd post pa ni nako waheheh kawawa nmn me.. T_T.. anyways its not the post, its the thought that counts .. char..

[bordz1]

sakto jud!!!...very helpful

[rockford_fosgate09]

nice one....

[iCeSuRgE]

These could really help me a lot coz daghan kog gi-applyan karon

[Lavinz]

Thanks!!nice info...mka help jud...at least naa nay idea ang mga wla pa nka agi og mangapply usab...U dont need luck man daw..coz theres no such..so better prepare jud..para worth ang effort nga g-excert!!dili kay apply lang..kay by passing ur resume na reach na nimo ang goal nga mo apply..maybe if imo goal is to have the work...kana!!tubag jud og tarong sa Interview...cheers!!!

[v_tacang]

thanks for posting this..........it could help us a lot.......